Customer Reviews

Foggy Mountain Gospel

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mention the names of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs to the general population and you're likely to get a response like, "Hey, weren't they the bluegrass duo who appeared on The Beverly Hillbillies?" Or they might remember their providing the theme music for the movie "Bonnie and Clyde." And that's only for the general population over fifty!

For two artists who helped shape bluegrass music during its formative years (they after all were members of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys), this two-disc compilation is a welcome addition to any bluegrass music library.

In the early years of country and bluegrass music, concerts invariably included a gospel segment. During Flatt and Scruggs tenure at Columbia Records (1950-1969), they recorded 52 gospel songs and they are collected here on a single compilation for the first time. Also worth noting is that 23 of these songs were written or co-written by Flatt and/or Scruggs (sometimes using the pseudonyms G. Stacey and L. Certain-their wives' maiden names).

While Scruggs is recognized for developing the three-finger style of banjo picking, he is also an accomplished guitarist. Listen to his fretwork on songs like "You Can Feel It in Your Soul" and "It Won't Be Long." In addition to Scruggs' stellar banjo and guitar playing, Dobro player Josh "Buck" Graves became a featured instrumentalist when he joined the Foggy Mountain Boys in the mid-Fifties.

The songs are presented chronologically, beginning with the 1951 single "I'm Working on a Road" through the final eight tracks from the 1966 LP WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN.

While this collection does not tell the complete story of Flatt and Scruggs, it is an essential component of their legacy. [Running time - Disc 1, 67:43; Disc 2, 62:47] ESSENTIAL

After recording for Mercury, Flatt & Scruggs started recording for Columbia in 1950. Their last Columbia session was 1969. This 2-CD "Foggy Mountain Gospel" set presents material recorded between 1951-1966. Besides a number of songs originally released as singles, this 2-CD set draws material from many classic LPs, most heavily from Songs of Glory (Columbia CL1424) and When the Saints go Marching In (Columbia CS9313).

Scruggs' phenomenal lead guitar work ("I'm Working on a Road") kicks off the project. Then, there is the band's cohesive vocal quartet on songs like "Get in Line Brother" and "I Saw Mother with God Last Night" and "Give Me the Flowers." I like the old hymns they sang such as "Give Mother My Crown" and "Jesus Savior Pilot Me," the former attributed to the songwriting of Walter Bailes. Tom T. Hall, an up-and-coming songwriter at the time, wrote"A Stone The Builders Refused."

As Rich Kienzle points out in the new liner notes, it is Flatt & Scruggs' gospel material that transcends all else and stands as "an impressive facet of their musical legacy" and a "reminder of their peak creative years." Both old favorites and some overlooked jewels comprise the canon. Two selections were previously unreleased ("He Will Set Your Fields on Fire" and "No Mother in the World Today"). Of the many original songs written by their wives, some of my favorites from their pens are "Joy Bells," "No Hiding Place Down Here," and "Get on the Road to Glory."

They also cover songs from The Carter Family ("I'm on my Way to Canaan's Land" and "On the Rock Where Moses Stood"), the latter featuring the autoharp of Mother Maybelle Carter. Other covers come from J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers, Charlie Monroe ("When the Angels Carry Me Home"), and The Bailes Brothers. Band members like Curly Seckler, Everett Lilly, Benny Martin, Paul Warren, Jake Tullock, Howdy Forrester, and Josh "Buck" Graves. On the slight downside, Buddy Harman's drums creep into the mix on seven tracks that are drawn from Flatt & Scruggs' "When the Saints Go Marching In" LP.

Lester Flatt passed on in 1979, but Earl Scruggs will turn 82 on January 6, 2006. Scruggs recently appeared at Merlefest and Bonnaroo, and he has been the subject of much national media attention. In September, 2005, I caught him leading an enthusiastic rendition of "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" with four other banjo-players on the David Letterman Show. Together, Flatt & Scruggs' impact on bluegrass goes without saying. Their names are synonymous with the classics of bluegrass. My hats off to Columbia/Legacy Records for re-releasing this Flatt and Scruggs material on CD.

"Foggy Mountain Gospel" is a compilation of unadulterated and authentic bluegrass gospel music from the 1950s, along with two releases from the 1960s, "Songs Of Glory" and "When The Saints Go Marching In." There are also a number of live recordings. These 52 tracks on two CDs remind us that Flatt & Scruggs' gospel music was certainly as compelling as their secular material. (Joe Ross, staff writer, Bluegrass Now)

Country music doesn't get any purer than this two-disc, 52-song compilation of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs's gospel recordings which were made during their tenure at Columbia (1950-1969). Brimming with acoustic mastery and lush three and four part harmonies, they summon the honest, expressive joy of backwoods salvation.

The Foggy Mountain Boys demonstrated true depth during every era. Everett Lilly's effortless tenor ("I'm Working on a Road") and spark-spitting mandolin rides ("Brother I'm Ready to Go") enliven the earliest recordings. Later, Curley Seckler employed a raw tenor ("Joy Bells") that emitted born-again fervor. Highlighted by Josh Graves's poignant dobro work ("Gone Home"), they created an irresistible sonic atmosphere.

Despite brilliant ensemble interplay, Flatt & Scruggs are clearly the stars. Whether pleading for his mother's soul ("Give My Mother My Crown") or provoking tears with a narrative ("Father's Table Grace"), Flatt's voice projects hopeful sincerity. Meanwhile Scruggs' legendary overdrive banjo style ("When The Angels Carry Me Home") is rivaled by some stinging acoustic guitar work ("You Can Feel it in Your Soul"). This collection is as essential as their double disc of secular hits Tis Sweet To Be Remembered.

I'm pretty sure Flatt & Scruggs had a straight line up to God & you can hear it on this CD...on some songs more so than others. I love their pre-PC take on a simple gospel, easy enough for a child to believe, as I did @ their knee, so to speak, while listening to them on the radio from the time I was very young. They take me back to a place I belong.

A wonderful old time Religion Album. I am enjoying it over and over , thanks for carrying it. I bought it especially for the Suppertime Grace song on it, Thanks Esther Hall

Good people to deal with. They did everythibg they said they would do. I purchased Flatt and Scruggs Foggy Mountain Gospel. Very good. Thanks Bruce